-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Soccer stars have plenty of spare time , and plenty of money , so this week 's revelations of players gambling on events during English Premier League matches should come as no surprise .

Claus Lundekvam 's claims that `` spot-fix '' betting was rife when he was a player have attracted the attention of world governing body FIFA , which is also battling against the widespread problem of match-fixing .

The Premier League has a well-documented gambling culture , with big names such as Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney owning race horses and featuring in big-stake `` card schools '' on international and club duty .

Before them , England internationals Tony Adams and Paul Merson had highly-publicized problems with gambling and alcohol .

Former Southampton player Lundekvam is the latest to talk candidly about footballers ' vices , revealing that he and other top-flight stars made money out of betting on minor events in games such as the first throw-in or corner kick .

Swiss court : Former FIFA president took $ 1.5 M in bribes

`` For a while we did this almost every week , '' Lundekvam told a Norwegian television channel . `` We made a fair bit of money . We could make deals with the opposing captain .

`` For example , betting on the first throw , the first corner , who started with the ball , a yellow card or a penalty . Those were the sorts of thing we had influence over .

`` The results were never on the agenda . That is something I would never have done . We were professional competitors . Even though what we did , of course , was illegal , it was just a fun thing . ''

Strict regulations and laws govern what professional footballers are able to gamble on , but are football 's lawmakers taking the problem seriously enough ?

World governing body FIFA released a statement on Wednesday outlining its intention to look into Lundekvam 's claims .

`` FIFA is monitoring this issue and involved its chief investigator in England , '' FIFA told CNN . `` Once all information is known it will be decided who is leading the investigations . ''

The Premier League , which recently raised $ 4.5 billion selling broadcasting rights in Britain , declined to comment on the matter , while the English Football Association gave no indication it would be investigating Lundekvam 's claims .

`` The FA has strict policies on this and our sanctions are wide-ranging . All participants also have a duty to report any such activity , '' it told CNN .

`` Football works closely with the gambling industry to monitor all markets and activity and we have a unit focused on maintaining the integrity of the sport . ''

While the allegation of illegal activities within `` the beautiful game '' is worrying , it also shines a light on another possible parasite eating away at soccer 's top players .

Lars Bohinen was an international teammate of Lundekvam 's and enjoyed an eight-year Premier League career with Blackburn Rovers , Nottingham Forest and Derby County .

The former midfielder said he was not aware of any spot-fixing when he played , but he does recall jokes being made about the subject during his time in England .

`` One of the examples Claus put forward was that you could bet on the first throw-in , '' said Bohinen , who retired in 2005 .

`` I remember we joked about that sometimes , but it was never seriously discussed . It was a rumor which went around at the time .

`` I suppose having learned about what 's happened it would be naive to think it was n't there , but I ca n't say to what extent it was there . ''

Bohinen did acknowledge that players would bet thousands of pounds on the way to matches .

`` It 's not well known , but there have been cases , '' he said . `` People could lose Â # 3,000 or Â # 4,000 on a bus trip to London . Obviously that 's not the best way to prepare for a game .

`` At one of my clubs they put an end to gambling on the bus on the way to away games . I think there are a lot more problems going on than people get to hear about . ''

The Premier League 's highly-paid players have become celebrities , which can make it even harder to admit to a gambling problem when your fans see you as a sporting hero .

`` Gambling addiction is not something players talk about ... They would never come out and say that , but you could sense it from the way they gambled on cards , horses and football , '' Bohinen said .

Many sportsmen suffering from addiction problems have turned to the Sporting Chance Clinic , a charity set up by former England captain Adams .

`` The issue may be getting to admit there is a problem in the first place , '' said a Sporting Chance spokesperson . `` If you 're talking about footballers , there is a very clear , defined process in place . ''

The Professional Footballers ' Association -LRB- PFA -RRB- -- the union which represents the concerns of players in England and Wales -- refers cases of addiction to Sporting Chance , which offers residential care .

`` If you are a professional player at any level , if you are a member of the PFA , there is a huge support network in place which we are part of , '' said the Sporting Chance spokesperson .

`` There is a clear , full process in place which we are almost the culmination of . We get to see what you would almost consider the worst cases . ''

However , PFA management committee chairman Clarke Carlisle suggested greater regulatory scrutiny raised privacy issues and also threatened to make the problem worse .

`` We 've not had a survey or a general questionnaire about the gambling habits of the players , '' said Carlisle , who was part of the Burnley team which played in the Premier League in the 2009-10 season .

`` The problem is that gambling calls into question the integrity of a match and of the sport .

`` As a union , we 're never going to stop players gambling . If you were to put a blanket ban on it you would just drive it underground . That would only serve to put people in a far more precarious position . ''

Carlise , who went to Sporting Chance when he battled alcoholism , would like to see the clinic given greater resources .

`` I think it 's an excellent facility and one which needs to expand . It 's a perfect setting to get away from the outside influences of what is going on in your life and really focus on addressing your issues , '' the 32-year-old said .

`` In that perfect setting there are people who have an empathy with what is going on in your life , which is the greatest thing anyone can show you . ''

Carlisle refused to blame the Premier League or the FA for their response to gambling and spot-fixing , saying it is the role of the PFA to understand the needs of footballers .

`` You 're caught between a rock and a hard place , '' he said . `` I do n't think anyone has hit on the solution yet .

`` Is it the FA 's remit to cure the ills of the individuals within the game ? Probably not . It is the PFA 's remit to make sure we 're aware of the what the lads are going through and the problems they are facing . ''

@highlight

Latest claims of football gambling put spotlight on English Premier League

@highlight

Former players admit that betting is prevalent and part of team culture

@highlight

Premier League has yet to indicate that it will take any action

@highlight

Players ' union says it should address the problem , not the ruling bodies